Machines for producing snack food in the shape of a scoop

ABSTRACT

A machine for continuously embossing a strip of edible material to produce a design on at least one side thereof and shaping the embossed strip to provide spoon-shaped body portions and integral finger grip sections which are severed in said body portions and finger grip section simultaneously during passage of the strip through the machine thus forming individual snack products each having a scoop-shaped body portion and a finger grip portion for use in spooning prepared dip mixtures as currently used at social gatherings.

United States Patent Griner et al.

[151 3,653,335 [451 Apr. 4, 1972 [54] MACHINES FOR PRODUCING SNACK FOOD IN THE SHAPE OF A SCOOP [72] lnventors: Arthur J. Griner, Wyckoff, N.J.; William A. Blain, Spring Valley, NY.

abandoned.

[52] U.S. Cl ..425/307, 107/69, 425/325 [51] Int. Cl ..A2lc 11/10 [58] Field ofSearch ..107/1 R, l A, 1 E, l J, 4,

107/5, 7, 8, 9, 14, 54, 68, 69, 70; 99/443 C, 81; 18/1 Z, 4 13,19 R; 270/86, 93, 94; 100/144, 151,

2,003,578 6/ 1935 Clement, ..l07/l A 2,434,339 l/l948 Stiles 107/68 X 3,230,901 l/l966 Zones ..107/1 E 3,265,016 8/1966 Cheung.. 107/8 K X 3,297,315 l/l967 Kunz ..270/86 3,373,702 3/1968 Quilici et al... .107/69 X 3,433,182 3/1969 Thompson ..107/69 3,512,990 5/1970 Slaybaugh ..107/69 X Primary Examiner-Edward L. Roberts Assistant Examiner-Arthur 0, Henderson Attorney-I. Allen Strombeck 57 ABSTRACT A machine for continuously embossing a strip of edible material to produce a design on at least one side thereof and shaping the embossed strip to provide spoon-shaped body portions and integral finger grip sections which are severed in said body portions and finger grip section simultaneously during I78 passage of the strip through the machine thus forming individual snack products each having a scoop-shaped body por- [56] References cued tion and a finger grip portion for use in spooning prepared dip UNITED STATES PATENTS mixtures as currently used at social gatherings.

1,063,993 6/1913 McNamara 100/151 UX 34 Claims, 22 Drawing Figures 11 76 7? m4 F r I; g I i e #:1131271. Ln-:- 9 [07 8 PATENTEDAPR 4 I972 SHEET 0 1 BF 1 2 INVENTORS ARTHUR J. GRTNER WILLIAM A. BLAIN PATENT AGENT PATENTEDAPR 4 m2 SHEET 03 UP 12 INVENTORS ARTHUR J. GRINER WILLIAM A. BLAIN PATENT AGENT PATENTED APR 4 I 2 SHEET CS 0F 12 ARTHUR PATFNT ACFNT PATENTEBAPR 4 I972 SHEET 0 7 UF 1 2 l l I l l 1 I 1 I 1 t 4| lll lllllll IIIII By WILLIAM A. BLAIN PATFNT AGFNT PATENTEDAPR 41972 IN vm'mns A RTH U R J. GRINER WILLIAM A. BLAIN PATENT AGENT PATENTEDAPR 4 I972 SHEET USUF 12 I NVENTORS ARTHUR J. GRINER BY WILLIAM A BLAIN PATENT AGENT PATENTEDAPR 4:912

SHEET 10 [1F 12 II b Alum" I INVENTORS ARTHUR J. GRINER WILLIAM A. BLAIN PATENT AGENT PATENTEUAPR 41912 3,653,335

I N VE N TORS F1 ARTHUR J, GRINER q wuu/m A, BLAIN PATENT AGENT PATENTEDAPR 41912 SHEET 12 [1F 12 R SEN m wmm H E V A m Y v B TU ,FLR 4% w i PATENT AGENT MACHINES FOR PRODUCING SNACK FOOD IN THE SHAPE OF A SCOOP This application is a continuation of our application Ser. No. 754,415, filed Aug. 21, 1968, for Machine for Producing Snack Food in the Shape of a Scoop (now abandoned). A particular object of the invention is to produce an edible snack product at high speed so that the cost of production can be kept at a minimum.

A further object is to provide means for feeding an edible strip of material through a machine so that the strip can be embossed, shaped and severed to provide individual snack products at a continuous rate and in large quantities.

Still further objects are to provide for the continuous movement of a strip of edible material through a machine and at the same time coordinate the operation of forming and cutting means with the travel of the strip permitting only a minimum of damage and waste; to provide closely associated severing means that coact in synchronism with the forming means to cut the strip into individual pieces; thus keeping the length of the machine at a minimum;

With the above and other objects in view, the invention comprises certain constructions hereinafter described and then particularly pointed out in the claims; and a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in vertical section taken substantially on the line 1-1 of FIG. 2 and showing the travel of the product in strip form through the embossing and trimming means of the first unit;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the unit shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the relative position of the strip product in its travel therethrough;

FIG. 2A is a fragmentary view of the embossing roll used in the first unit;

FIG. 3 is a view in side elevation of another unit of the machine in which the product is formed and cut from the strip;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged top plan section of FIG. 3 taken on the line 4-4 of the latter showing the mechanism at one stage of operation;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken substantially on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 and also on the line 5-5 of FIG. 6 showing the positions of the mechanism in crimping, forming and cutting the strip to produce the product;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3 illustrating the drive mechanism and conveyor means;

FIG. 8 is an animated sectional elevation on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7 showing the operation of the vertical cutters and formers;

FIG. 9 is an animated sectional elevation on the line 9-9 of FIG. 7 showing the operation of the pincher or crimping mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a combinational view, in elevation, showing the vertical cutters and formers in raised position and the pincher or crimping means in retracted position, the advanced positions thereof being shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is an animated sectional elevation taken on the line 11-11 of FIG. 7 and showing the operation of the shift yoke;

FIG. 12 is an animated sectional elevation taken on the line 12- 12 of FIG. 7 showing the poSitions of the swinging cutters after a severing operation;

FIG. 13 is a vertical section taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12 showing animated positions and mounting of the swinging cutters;

FIG. 14 is view in perspective of the product carrier and forming and cutting means therefor to produce the the finished product, the parts being shown in an open position;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 14 with the pressing blocks or crimpers and the product in shaped position prior to being cut into units;

FIG. 16 is a sectional elevation on the line 16-16 of FIG. 15 showing the vertical cutters in raised position and the relation thereof to the formers;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary section in elevation showing the operation of a vertical cutter;

FIG. 18 is a view in perspective of the product as it is blown out of the machine at the discharge end thereof as seen in FIG. 20;

FIG. 19 is a view in perspective of the product in position for use as a dipping element;

FIG. 20 is a vertical section on the line 20-20 of FIG. 7 showing the exit end of the conveyor and blower means for discharging the product; and

FIG. 21 is a section on the line 21-21 of FIG. 20 showing the air duct arrangement used in conjunction with the discharge end of the conveyor.

The above described edible snack food product is shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 212,070 of common ownership. The design patent shows the product after it has been subjected to a deep-fat frying operation.

Referring to the drawings in detail and in particular to FIGS. 1, 2 and 2A, 10 indicates the base of a machine frame including a superstructure 11 presenting side panels 16, joined by an end panel 13, and connected by cross bars 14 and in which panels are journalled cross shafts 16, 17, 18 and 19 for the support and rotation respectively of a plain roller 21, an embossing roller 22, a stripping roller 23 and twin edge trimming disk knives 24. The product 15, FIG. 18, is made from a strip or ribbon of material 25 composed of any desired edible substance such as corn meal or potato flour which can be forced through an extruding die 26 so that the strip will lie flat on a first plain roller 21 and be propelled thereby to pass about the under periphery of an embossing roller 22 room whence it is propelled by the stripping roller 23 over a stripping plate blade 26 to a belt conveyor 27 which is suitably supported on a base 28 which is part of another unit of the machine. The shafts 16, 17 and 18, at one end, carry sprocket gears for operation by a drive chain 29 common to the gears and operated from a motor, not shown. The shaft 17 carries, at its opposite end, a suitable drive sprocket 31, which through a sprocket chain 32 passing over idlers 33 and 34, and sprocket 31 drives the shaft 19 to operate the disk knives 24. The idlers are suitably journalled, through stud shafts 35 and 36, in an adjacent panel 12. Suitable tension on the sprocket chains 29 and 32 is maintained, respectively, by tension devices 37 and 38.

While the underside of the finished product 15 is embossed, when it is completed, nevertheless the strip or ribbon 25 will be embossed as at 39 on its upper side or face as it passes through the machine, as seen in FIG. 2. Although the embossing roller 22, a portion of which is shown in FIG. 2A, provides a lattice design of rectangular form, it is understood that any design of suitable nature may be employed.

The base for the product forming unit of FIG. 3 includes outer panels 41, support panels 40, and inner strip or rail panels 42 the upper edges of the latter of which constitute rails along which travel the rollers 43 of a chain conveyor 44 which passes over paired chain sprocket gears 45 and 46, the latter pair including a connecting hub portion 47 (FIGS. 7, 20 and 21). Panels 41 are spaced apart, and panels 42 are supported by suitable tie bars 49'. And as shown in FIG. 5, auxiliary support bars 42a are provided beneath the work portion of conveyor 44. The hub 47 is mounted on roller bearings 48 on transverse shaft 49 and is provided with radially disposed air flues 51 or bores which successively align with air discharge bores 52 at their outer ends and at their inner ends register with a radial air duct or bore 53 in shaft 49. The latter is provided with an air intake passage 54 extending inwardly from one end of the shaft to terminate at the radial bore 53. Each link of the conveyor 44 comprises a carrier 55 having depending cars 56, FIGS. 16 and 17, which are connected to the rollers 43 of the chain conveyor linkage 44, FIGS. 6 and 7. Each link or carrier 55 has mounted thereon or integrally formed therewith a forming block or die 57, FIGS. 14 and 15, upon and with which the product strip or ribbon 25 travels. The

upper face of each block 57 is convex as at 58 and is transversely slotted as at 59 to receive a vertically reciprocating cutting blade 61 which, as clearly seen in FIG. 14, is flanked by depending former or stripper blades 62 the bottom edges 63 of which are concave to fit the convex surfaces or faces 58 of the forming or die blocks 57. The operation of the cutter 61 and the relative positions of the former blades 62 may be clearly seen in FIGS. 16 and 17. The fOrrning blocks 57 are cross-shaped in configuration with longitudinally extending projections 63A for support of the product strip 25, and provided with upwardly extending tapered guide projections 64 in flanking relation to the slots 59 for the purpose of insuring proper positioning of product strip 25, the vertical cutting blades 61 and the forming blades or heads 62. The latter are formed integrally with a longitudinal former bar 65 while the cutting blades 61 are secured as at 66 in mounting pieces 67 spaced along the lower surface of a knife bat 68 (FIGS. and

6). Medially of the blocks 57 and movable sidewise relatives to the center of the conveyor 44 are the crimping or pinching jaws 69 slotted as at 71 to permit operation of swinging cutters 72, FIGS. 1 and 13, one each of which is provided for each pair of jaws 69 so that a finger grip 73 on the finished product may be formed by squeezing the ribbon material 25 from opposite sides as illustrated in FIGS. and 18. The finished product, FIG. 19, comprises a concave scoop-shaped body portion 15 with an integral pinched finger-grip 73 formed at a right angle thereto and having a reticulated embossing 39 on me underside of its body portion and on the outer surfaces of said finger grip 73. The product acquires the appearance of a scoop-like edible snack which can be used to take up a portion of a prepared dipping mixture as often served at social gatherings.

' The panels 41 FIG. 7, are secured at the upper ends of the panels 40 and support spaced bridge pieces 74 for the support Of longitudinally extending shafts 75 along whIch slides a shift yoke 76, FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, consisting of cross end portions 77 and side pieces 78 connecting said portions. The Yoke has pivoted to the opposite sides thereof, at its forward end, yokereciprocating connecting rods 79 which are pivoted as at 81 to the upper ends of rock arms 82 whose lower ends are secured to a rock shaft 82. An adjacent shaft 93 (FIGS. 3, 11 and 12) carries a box cam 84 for oscillation of a cam arm 85 for rocking the shaft 83, so that the shift yoke 76 can be reciprocated longitudinally in accordance with the feed of the product strip 25 and the conveyor carrying the same. The shaft 83carries a sleeve 86 to which is secured a bell crank 87 having a cam arm 88, for operation by a box cam 90, and a rock arm 89 for pivotal attachment as at 91 to one end of a connecting rod 92 which actuates the swinging cutters 72. The cams 84 and 90 as well as disk cams 94 and 95 (FIGS. 8 and 9) are mounted on shaft 93 which s driven by a chain 96 and its sprocket gears 97 and 98 from a motor 99 (FIG. 3). The shaft 93, at its opposite end, carries a sprocket gear 101 for operating drum 47 and sprockets 46, 46 to drive the conveyor 44 through a chain 102 and a sprocket gear 103.

Referring toFIGS 8, 9 and 10, the knife bar 68, as previously noted, has depending therefrom the mounting pieces 67 in which the vertical cutters or knives 61 are secured. These operate vertically with and through the former or stripping blades 62 so that the latter move down to engage and shape the product ribbon or strip25 on the upper surfaces of the forming blocks 57 (see FIGS. 14) and the vertical cutters 61 then continue to move downwardly below the former blades 62 to,,sever the strip material as the cutters enter the slots 59. Bart65, whichfcarries blades 62, is mounted on the lower ends of pins 112 which slide vertically in bar 68, and compression springs 111 are interposed between bars 68 and 65, whereby continued downward movement of bar 68 and cutters 61 relative to blades 62 is yieldably permitted after blades 62 engage strip 25. The movement of the cutters 61, vertically, is coordinated with the operation of the blades 62 vertically, is coordinated with the operation of the blades 62 vertically inasmuch as the knife bar 68 is moved up and down by parallel rock lever linkages 104 pivoted to an operating bar 105, which is reciprocated by a link 106 operated by a spring biased arm 107 pivoted on shaft 80 through the action of a disc cam 95 operating cam lever 108. The fulcrum ends of the rock lever linkage 104 are each fixed to a shaft 109 which is joumalled in the sides 78 of the shift yoke 76 and arranged to raise and lower the knife bar 68 and former bar 65 through a pivot pin 109A. When downward movement of unit 62, 65 is arrested by engagement with strip 25, the bar 68 and knife blades61 continue downward against the resistance of springs 1:11, mounted on the guide pins 112 that suspend the bar 65 thus offering yieldable downward pressure of the former blades 62 againstthe strip of edible material 25. The former blades 62, while the vertical cutters 61 are being withdrawn, serve to strip any of the ribbon material 25 that might adhere to the opposite sides of said cutters. This is due to the action of the springs 11 1 which hold the blades 62 in position as the cutters rise to a position above the strip 25.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 6, 9 and 10, the crimping jaws 69 are secured at opposite sides of the conveyor 44 to the sides of the jaw bars 60 so that the jaws 69, when moving toward each other in the pinching operation, are slightly above the conveyor 44 and, due to the concave cross-sectional shape of the strip 25, will collapse the latter in the spaces formed between the die blocks 57 as seen in FIG. 15, thus squeezing the material to form the finger grips 73. The jaw bars 60 at opposite sides of the conveyor 44 are carried by pins 1 13 passing through hubs 113A mounted at the free ends of bell crank linkages 114 pivoted on stud pins 1 15 projecting from the underside of the side pieces 78 of shift yoke 76. The bell crank linkages 114 are each actuated by a connector bar 116 through pins 117, the bar 116 being extended with ears 118- for pivotal connection to the ends of connecting rods 1 19. The rods 1 19 are reciprocated by spring biased anns 121 oscillated by. a cam arm 122' on rock shaft and operated by a cam 94 on shaft 93. The longitudinal operation of the bars 116 through the bell crank linkages 1 14 causes sidewise movement of the jaw bars 60 while the longitudinal operation of the link 106 through the rock lever linkages 104, raises and lowers the following group, the yoke is retracted at a reverse speed of approximately three times the forward stroke. Referring to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14, the swinging cutters 72 operate in conjunction with the crimping jaws 69 the slots 71 of which are arranged for this purpose. The cutters 72 are keyed to a shaft 122 supported in end brackets 123 mounted on one of the jaw bars 60. Each cutter 72 has a bevelled cutting edge 124 to provide a shearing effect as the cutter swings in radial direction to sever the vertically disposed sections of the ribbon material 25 while these sections are being compressed between the meeting ends of the crimping or pinching jaws 69. Inasmuch as the cutting and forming mechanisms are carried by the shift yoke 76 they will travel at the same speed as the conveyor 44 so that damage to the ribbon or strip 25will be avoided as it is being operated upon to produce the finished snack products. The large output of the machine is due largely to the continuous feeding of the strip and the simultaneous movement of the yoke 76. The movement of the latter as well as that of the knives 124, the vertical cutterS 61, the former blades 62, and the jaws for crimping the strip material are all controlled or coordinated by the earns 84, 90, 94 and as seen in FIGS. 8, 9, 11 and 12. The cams operate the various parts so that the work is performed on one cycle of the shift yoke 76 without relative movement between the strip and the parts working thereon. The rock shaft 122 to which the swinging cutters 72 are keyed, carries a rock arm 125 to which is pivoted an arm 126 whose free end in secured in the outer end of a finger 127 carried by an arm 128 mounted on a pivot pin 129 which is turned by arm 131. The latter arm is oscillated by the connecting rOd 92. The cutting action of the swinging cutters 72 occurs when the rock arm 89 is at the center position, as seen in FIG. 12, while the cutting action of the 'vertical cutters 61 occurs when the rock arm 107 is at the leftmost position as seen in FIG. 8.

The invention is not to be restricted to the precise details of construction shown since various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention or sacrificing the advantages to be derived from its use.

What is claimed is:

l. A machine for producing edible snack products from a pliable strip comprising conveyor means for continuously feeding the strip, means for shaping said strip to form a convex cross section therein while the strip is being fed, means for pinching said strip at spaced intervals while the same is being fed to provide finger grip portions therein, and means for severing the strip in said finger grip portions medially and between said portions at said shaping means to provide a plurality of individual snack products each having integral finger grip and scoop portions.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said conveyor means includes carrier links and forming blocks on said links having spaced convexly shaped surfaces on which said strip is supported and to which shape said strip effectively conforms.

3. A machine as defined in claim 2 comprising means in said conveyor means for discharging said severed snack products therefrom.

4. A machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for discharging said products includes air discharge bores in said forming blocks, hub means at the discharge end of the conveyor means having radial air fiues in register with said air discharge bores, and a cross shaft on which said hub means is mounted, said shaft having an air supply bore for successive registry with each of said radial air fiues whereby the snack products are dislodged from said forming blocks.

5. A machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said snack product discharging means includes a hubbed wheel about which said conveyor means passes, said forming blocks have air discharge bores, and said hubbed wheel is provided with radial fiues for registration with the forming block discharge bores through which air currents flow to discharge the severed snack products from said forming blocks.

6. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the conveyor means includes forming blocks having spaced convex surfaces for supporting said strip and the means for shaping said strip includes a former bar extending longitudinally of and above said conveyor means and a plurality of depending former blades secured to said bar and presenting concave edges for shaping the strip to the convex surfaces of forming blocks.

7. A machine as defined in claim 6 wheRein the means for severing the strip includes a vertically reciprocable knife bar, said machine further comprising means for moving said knife bar longitudinally with the conveyor means, and means for yieldably suspending said former bar from the knife bar whereby the former blades may apply yieldable pressure to the strip while the latter is being fed and severed.

8. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the conveyor means includes forming blocks having spaced convex surfaces for supporting said strip and said strip pinching means includes opposed jaw bars extending longitudinally of said conveyor means, pinching jaws extending from said jaw bars between said forming blocks and means for moving the opposed jaws toward and away from each other to crimp the strip therebetween and form the finger grip portions therein.

9. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for severing the strip in said finger grip portions includes a longitudinally extending shaft, cutters mounted on said shaft to swing upon oscillatory angular movement of the shaft to cut through said finger grip portions while the same are engaged by said pinching means.

10. A machine as defined in claim 9 wherein said shaping means includes pairs of forming blades and said means for severing the strip at said shaping means includes cutters mounted for vertical reciprocation between the blades of said pairs when the latter are in strip shaping position.

1 1. A machine for producing edible products from a ribbonlike strip comprising conveyor means for carrying the strip horizontally through the machine, vertically reciprocable means movable with the conveyor means for shaping said strip to provide a convex cross section therein, means mounted to reciprocate longitudinally and transversely of the strip for pinching the strip simultaneously at a plurality of regularly spaced intervals to provide spaced finger grip portions therein, and means for severing the strip in said finger grip portions and centrally between said portions to form a plurality of said products each having integral finger grip and spoon portions.

12. A machine for producing snack products from a pliable strip of ediblematerial comprising conveyor means for carrying the strip through the machine, bridging means overlying said conveyor means including parallel bars and a shift yoke slidably mounted on said parallel bars, means for advancing said yoke in unison with the forward travel of the conveyor means and retracting the same at an increased return speed, means including spaced forming blocks on the conveyor means for shaping said strip to provide a convex cross sectional shape therein, means for pinching the strip from opposite edges thereof to provide finger grip portions therein, means for severing the strip in said finger grip portions and at said forming blocks to form a plurality of individual snack products each having integral finger grip and spoon portions, and means for discharging said products, the operation of said means for shaping, pinching and severing the strip being coordinated with the forward travel of the conveyor means and yoke.

13. A machine as defined in claim 12 comprising means for embossing at least one side of the strip to provide an ornamental design therein.

14. A machine as defined in claim 12 comprising a pair of disc knives positioned at opposite sides of said strip for trimming the edges thereof and a stripping roller with which said knives coact in trimming the edges of the strip.

15. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein the means for severing the strip in the finger strip portions includes an oscillatable shaft and cutters mounted in spaced relation on said shaft for oscillation therewith.

16. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein the means for severing the strip at said forming blocks includes a knife bar mounted on said yoke for vertical reciprocation and cutters secured at spaced points along said knife bar.

17. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein said forming blocks have convex upper surfaces, are laterally slotted and define vertical guide projections, and said means for shaping the strip further comprises former blades disposed above said blocks and presenting concave surfaces for engagement with the strip as it rests on said blocks and coacting therewith to give a convex cross sectional shape to the strip.

18. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein the means for severing the strip at said forming blocks includes vertically reciprocable knife blades and said shaping means includes.

pairs of former blades presenting concave surfaces for engagement with the strip as the knife blades sever the strip, said former blades being arranged in flanking relation with said knife blades to strip the severed products therefrom during withdrawal thereof.

19. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein said means for shaping, pinching and severing the strip are supported by said yoke for reciprocating movement above and longitudinally of said conveyor means, and further comprising means for operating said shaping, pinching and severing means independently of the yoke and each other.

20. A machine as defined in claim 19 wherein said shaping, pinching and severing means and said yoke are actuated in timed relation by cam means.

21. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein said means for discharging the snack products includes a stationary cross shaft at the discharge end of the conveyor means having a central air intake bore and aradial air duct leading from said bore, chain sprocket gears including a hub portion having radial bores for successive register with said radial air duct, over the periphery of which hub portion pass the forming blocks of said conveyor means, and said blocks being shaped to provide air discharge bores for register with said radial bores whereby a plurality of snack products may be discharged from the conveyor means simultaneously.

22. Apparatus for processing a ribbon-like strip of pliable material comprising endless conveyor means having a substantially horizontal upper reach for continuously advancing said strip longitudinally, said conveyor means comprising spaced projecting blocks supporting said strip, means vertically reciprocable and cooperable with said blocks for closely confining spaced portions of the advancing strip, and means reciprocable transversely of the advancing strip for folding sections thereof generally along the longitudinal center line thereof between said blocks while said portions of the strip are thus confined.

23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means for reciprocating said confining and folding means in timed relation with each other.

24. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said confining means simultaneously confines a plurality of said spaced portions of the strip and said folding means simultaneously folds a plurality of spaced sections of the strip.

25. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising a carriage reciprocable longitudinally of said strip, and means for pivotally mounting said strip confining means and said folding means on said carriage for longitudinal reciprocation therewith.

26. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said vertically reciprocable means and said blocks have complementary arcuate surfaces whereby said strip is transversely bowed.

27. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means for transversely reciprocating said folding means including cam means and parallel linkages.

28. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means for vertically reciprocating said strip confining means including cam means and a parallel linkage.

29. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said strip confining means are reciprocable longitudinally of said strip, said apparatus further comprising means for longitudinally reciprocal said strip confining means with a forward speed equal to that of the forwardly advancing strip and with an increased return speed.

30. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 .wherein said folding means are reciprocable longitudinally of said strip, said apparatus further comprising means for longitudinally reciprocating said folding means with a forward speed equal to that of the forwardly advancing strip and with an increased return speed.

31. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means for transversely severing the advancing strip centrally of said folded sections thereof.

32. Apparatus as defined in claim 31 comprising an angularly oscillatable, longitudinally reciprocable shaft for supporting said severing means.

33. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising vertically reciprocable means for transversely severing, the advancing strip at each said confined portion thereof.

34. Apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said severing means are mounted for vertical reciprocation with and relative to said vertically reciprocable means and for reciprocation longitudinally of the strip.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,653,335- Dated April 97 Inventor(s) Arthur J. Griner and William A; Blain It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In the Abstract, line 5, "section" should read sections Column 3, line 15, "bat" should read bar line 16, "relatives" should read relative line 39, "82" should read 83 line +9, "which s" should read which is lines 698: 70, delete "vertically, is coordinated with the operation of the' blades 62". Column 8, line 11, "reciprocal"- should read reciprocating Column 2, line 30, "room" should read from Signed and sealed this 11th day of Jvly 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD PLFLETCHEH, I ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PC4050 (0459) I uscoMM-oc 60376-P69 i [L5, GOVERNMENT FFHNT'NG OFFICE I9" OS-3l4 I 

1. A machine for producing edible snack products from a pliable strip comprising conveyor means for continuously feeding the strip, means for shaping said strip to form a convex cross section therein while the strip is being fed, means for pinching said strip at spaced intervals while the same is being fed to provide finger grip portions therein, and means for severing the strip in said finger grip portions medially and between said portions at said shaping means to provide a plurality of individual snack products each having integral finger grip and scoop portions.
 2. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said conveyor means includes carrier links and forming blocks on said links having spaced convexly shaped surfaces on which said strip is supported and to which shape said strip effectively conforms.
 3. A machine as defined in claim 2 comprising means in said conveyor means for discharging said severed snack products therefrom.
 4. A machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said means for discharGing said products includes air discharge bores in said forming blocks, hub means at the discharge end of the conveyor means having radial air flues in register with said air discharge bores, and a cross shaft on which said hub means is mounted, said shaft having an air supply bore for successive registry with each of said radial air flues whereby the snack products are dislodged from said forming blocks.
 5. A machine as defined in claim 3 wherein said snack product discharging means includes a hubbed wheel about which said conveyor means passes, said forming blocks have air discharge bores, and said hubbed wheel is provided with radial flues for registration with the forming block discharge bores through which air currents flow to discharge the severed snack products from said forming blocks.
 6. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the conveyor means includes forming blocks having spaced convex surfaces for supporting said strip and the means for shaping said strip includes a former bar extending longitudinally of and above said conveyor means and a plurality of depending former blades secured to said bar and presenting concave edges for shaping the strip to the convex surfaces of forming blocks.
 7. A machine as defined in claim 6 wheRein the means for severing the strip includes a vertically reciprocable knife bar, said machine further comprising means for moving said knife bar longitudinally with the conveyor means, and means for yieldably suspending said former bar from the knife bar whereby the former blades may apply yieldable pressure to the strip while the latter is being fed and severed.
 8. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the conveyor means includes forming blocks having spaced convex surfaces for supporting said strip and said strip pinching means includes opposed jaw bars extending longitudinally of said conveyor means, pinching jaws extending from said jaw bars between said forming blocks and means for moving the opposed jaws toward and away from each other to crimp the strip therebetween and form the finger grip portions therein.
 9. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for severing the strip in said finger grip portions includes a longitudinally extending shaft, cutters mounted on said shaft to swing upon oscillatory angular movement of the shaft to cut through said finger grip portions while the same are engaged by said pinching means.
 10. A machine as defined in claim 9 wherein said shaping means includes pairs of forming blades and said means for severing the strip at said shaping means includes cutters mounted for vertical reciprocation between the blades of said pairs when the latter are in strip shaping position.
 11. A machine for producing edible products from a ribbon-like strip comprising conveyor means for carrying the strip horizontally through the machine, vertically reciprocable means movable with the conveyor means for shaping said strip to provide a convex cross section therein, means mounted to reciprocate longitudinally and transversely of the strip for pinching the strip simultaneously at a plurality of regularly spaced intervals to provide spaced finger grip portions therein, and means for severing the strip in said finger grip portions and centrally between said portions to form a plurality of said products each having integral finger grip and spoon portions.
 12. A machine for producing snack products from a pliable strip of edible material comprising conveyor means for carrying the strip through the machine, bridging means overlying said conveyor means including parallel bars and a shift yoke slidably mounted on said parallel bars, means for advancing said yoke in unison with the forward travel of the conveyor means and retracting the same at an increased return speed, means including spaced forming blocks on the conveyor means for shaping said strip to provide a convex cross sectional shape therein, means for pinching the strip from opposite edges thereof to provide finger grip portions theRein, means for severing the strip in said finger grip portions and at said forming blocks to form a plurality of individual snack products each having integral finger grip and spoon portions, and means for discharging said products, the operation of said means for shaping, pinching and severing the strip being coordinated with the forward travel of the conveyor means and yoke.
 13. A machine as defined in claim 12 comprising means for embossing at least one side of the strip to provide an ornamental design therein.
 14. A machine as defined in claim 12 comprising a pair of disc knives positioned at opposite sides of said strip for trimming the edges thereof and a stripping roller with which said knives coact in trimming the edges of the strip.
 15. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein the means for severing the strip in the finger strip portions includes an oscillatable shaft and cutters mounted in spaced relation on said shaft for oscillation therewith.
 16. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein the means for severing the strip at said forming blocks includes a knife bar mounted on said yoke for vertical reciprocation and cutters secured at spaced points along said knife bar.
 17. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein said forming blocks have convex upper surfaces, are laterally slotted and define vertical guide projections, and said means for shaping the strip further comprises former blades disposed above said blocks and presenting concave surfaces for engagement with the strip as it rests on said blocks and coacting therewith to give a convex cross sectional shape to the strip.
 18. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein the means for severing the strip at said forming blocks includes vertically reciprocable knife blades and said shaping means includes pairs of former blades presenting concave surfaces for engagement with the strip as the knife blades sever the strip, said former blades being arranged in flanking relation with said knife blades to strip the severed products therefrom during withdrawal thereof.
 19. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein said means for shaping, pinching and severing the strip are supported by said yoke for reciprocating movement above and longitudinally of said conveyor means, and further comprising means for operating said shaping, pinching and severing means independently of the yoke and each other.
 20. A machine as defined in claim 19 wherein said shaping, pinching and severing means and said yoke are actuated in timed relation by cam means.
 21. A machine as defined in claim 12 wherein said means for discharging the snack products includes a stationary cross shaft at the discharge end of the conveyor means having a central air intake bore and a radial air duct leading from said bore, chain sprocket gears including a hub portion having radial bores for successive register with said radial air duct, over the periphery of which hub portion pass the forming blocks of said conveyor means, and said blocks being shaped to provide air discharge bores for register with said radial bores whereby a plurality of snack products may be discharged from the conveyor means simultaneously.
 22. Apparatus for processing a ribbon-like strip of pliable material comprising endless conveyor means having a substantially horizontal upper reach for continuously advancing said strip longitudinally, said conveyor means comprising spaced projecting blocks supporting said strip, means vertically reciprocable and cooperable with said blocks for closely confining spaced portions of the advancing strip, and means reciprocable transversely of the advancing strip for folding sections thereof generally along the longitudinal center line thereof between said blocks while said portions of the strip are thus confined.
 23. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means for reciprocating said confining and folding means in timed relation with each other.
 24. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said confining means simultaneously conFines a plurality of said spaced portions of the strip and said folding means simultaneously folds a plurality of spaced sections of the strip.
 25. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising a carriage reciprocable longitudinally of said strip, and means for pivotally mounting said strip confining means and said folding means on said carriage for longitudinal reciprocation therewith.
 26. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said vertically reciprocable means and said blocks have complementary arcuate surfaces whereby said strip is transversely bowed.
 27. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means for transversely reciprocating said folding means including cam means and parallel linkages.
 28. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means for vertically reciprocating said strip confining means including cam means and a parallel linkage.
 29. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said strip confining means are reciprocable longitudinally of said strip, said apparatus further comprising means for longitudinally reciprocal said strip confining means with a forward speed equal to that of the forwardly advancing strip and with an increased return speed.
 30. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein said folding means are reciprocable longitudinally of said strip, said apparatus further comprising means for longitudinally reciprocating said folding means with a forward speed equal to that of the forwardly advancing strip and with an increased return speed.
 31. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising means for transversely severing the advancing strip centrally of said folded sections thereof.
 32. Apparatus as defined in claim 31 comprising an angularly oscillatable, longitudinally reciprocable shaft for supporting said severing means.
 33. Apparatus as defined in claim 22 comprising vertically reciprocable means for transversely severing the advancing strip at each said confined portion thereof.
 34. Apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein said severing means are mounted for vertical reciprocation with and relative to said vertically reciprocable means and for reciprocation longitudinally of the strip. 